Dishwasher with connection device for a plurality of water inlet lines

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher having water connections and a connection device with an output and inputs, wherein each of the inputs is connected to a respective water connection. The connection device opens the input whose assigned water connection supplies water and automatically seals all remaining inputs when the input whose assigned water connection supplies water is open.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a plurality of water connections.

DE 197 17 449 A1 discloses a washing machine having a warm water supply and a cold water supply. The warm water supply comprises a warm water valve and the cold water supply comprises a cold water valve, these being controllable by means of a controller of the washing machine.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object underlying the invention is to provide a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, having at least two water connections, in particular a cold water connection and a warm water connection, with improved water feed.

The object of the invention is achieved by means of a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a plurality of water connections, and a connection device which has a plurality of inputs that are attached to the water connections, in particular via water inlet lines, and one output, and which is embodied in such a way that it opens the input whose assigned water connection supplies water and seals the other input or all other inputs automatically when the relevant input is open.

It is therefore possible definitively to predetermine a specifically assigned water inlet path into the washing compartment of a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, for the inlet water from the relevant water connection. As a result of this, any branching or cross-coupling of water into the other water connection which is not currently open but is closed in the inflow or inlet direction, i.e. does not carry water, in particular into its water inlet line to the connection device, are largely prevented. As a result of this isolation of the water connections and in particular of their water inlet lines by means of the inventive connection device it is therefore possible largely or completely to prevent water from the one currently open water connection from flowing back into in particular the water inlet line of the other, currently closed water connection or even into an upstream water line system, i.e. “crossover” as reverse flow. This allows a selective water feed into the dishwasher from the plurality of water connections, in particular via their water inlet lines.

By means of a thus embodied inflow diverter it is therefore advantageously ensured that water coming from the water connection that is currently supplying water and via its assigned input of the connection device can in particular flow only i.e. solely via the output of the connection device and into the dishwasher. Any overflow from the first input of the connection device, which merges at least two water supplies, into its other input (of which there are at least two), and any reverse flow in the direction of the water supply of said other input, i.e. in a backflow direction to its water connection which does not carry water, are reliably prevented.

In particular, it is therefore possible largely to prevent water from the water inlet line of the currently utilized water connection from entering the water inlet line of the other, currently unutilized water connection as a result of backflow or overflow in the common junction part, and being stored there temporarily in the form of an unintended filling. In the absence of a connection device according to the invention, however, such an unintended filling of the currently unutilized water inlet line with water from the currently utilized water inlet line would occur. If the currently unutilized, i.e. inactive, water connection were to be opened, i.e. activated, subsequently, this unintended filling would flow into the liquid circulation system of the dishwasher first, and fresh inlet water would only flow in afterward, i.e. at a later time. As a result of this there would be a mixture of fresh water and the water volume of said unintended filling in the washing compartment of the dishwasher, in particular its sump.

However, in the case of e.g. a bithermal water connection, i.e. if the dishwasher has both a cold water connection and a warm water connection, the connection device embodied according to the invention prevents the possibility of unintended filling of the cold water inlet line with warm water and the warm water inlet line with cold water. An unwanted mixture of warm water freshly flowing in from the warm water connection via its warm water inlet line into the dishwasher with cold water from an unintended filling of the warm water inlet line, and/or conversely of cold water freshly flowing in from the cold water connection via its cold water inlet line into the dishwasher with warm water from an unintended filling of the cold water inlet line, is therefore largely prevented. In this way it is always possible to ensure that a specific required warm water volume from the warm water connection or a defined cold water volume from the cold water connection can be metered into the dishwasher selectively and hence in a defined, i.e. controlled, manner. This can be advantageous in particular if e.g. a first partial wash cycle of a current wash cycle of a selected dishwashing program requires a specific warm water volume at a specific desired warm water temperature, yet a second partial wash cycle demands a specific cold water volume at a specific desired cold water temperature. Expressed in more general terms, the inventive connection device therefore allows the selective supply of currently desired water volumes from the plurality of water connections into the dishwasher in a controlled manner.

As a result of the isolation of the plurality of water inlet paths by means of the inventive connection device it is moreover possible reliably to prevent any impurities in the water of the first water connection, such as e.g. a warm water connection, from being introduced via the water inlet line of the second water connection, such as e.g. a cold water connection, into its upstream water supply system, e.g. a drinking water network. This means that it is also possible easily and reliably to satisfy requirements relating to hygiene regulations.

The inventive dishwasher has a plurality of water connections by means of which it can be connected to e.g. one and the same water supply system, in particular a water network, or a plurality of independent water supply systems and/or installations. In particular, according to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be beneficial for one input of the connection device of the dishwasher to be connectable to a cold water network, in particular a drinking water network, and another input to be connectable to a warm water or hot water supply installation of a building. This beneficial bithermal multiple, in particular “duo”, connection is advantageous in particular for increasing the energy efficiency and/or drying performance of the dishwasher, since it allows the washing-stage-specific, i.e. selective, introduction into the dishwasher, in particular into its water circulation cycle, preferably its sump, of cold water for the one or more washing stages of a selected currently running dishwashing program which require cold water or only work with cold water in each case, and/or the washing-stage-specific (i.e. selective) introduction of warm or heated water for the one or more washing stages of the selected current dishwashing program which require warm or hot water in each case. The supply of the dishwasher with warm water or hot water from an external warm water supply installation is advantageous in particular if its warm water or hot water is generated exclusively, i.e. solely, or at least to some extent with the aid of a thermal solar system.

In order now to prevent the possibility of water flowing from one water connection into the other water connection (in particular from the cold water connection into the warm water connection and vice versa) as a result of line cross-coupling at the junction point of the supply lines which lead from the at least two water connections to the dishwasher, the inventive dishwasher has a common connection device that on one side is attached by its inputs to the two different water connections and on the other side comprises an output, this being attached e.g. to a water inlet part of the dishwasher, in such a way that water from the relevant selected open water connection can only flow into the inventive dishwasher in a forward direction, but cannot cross-couple in a reverse direction to the other water connection, which is not currently carrying water. In order, therefore, to ensure that it is impossible for water from the relevant, i.e. current, water-supplying water connection to enter the other water connection or connections which are not supplying water, or even to enter its upstream line systems, such as e.g. an external drinking water line, the connection device is embodied so as both to open that one of its inputs whose assigned water connection is currently supplying water, and also to seal its other inputs automatically, in particular as a result solely of the water pressure becoming effective in the water-carrying input.

According to a preferred embodiment variant of the inventive dishwasher, the automatic closure of the input or inputs whose water connections do not currently supply water is realized by embodying the connection device such that the relevant input opens and the other input or inputs are sealed as a result of the water pressure of the water connection that does supply water. The connection device therefore functions automatically without additional (electronic) control.

The connection device can preferably have a sealing means which opens the relevant input and seals the other input or inputs. This sealing means is preferably activated or set as a result of the water pressure of the water of the water connection which is currently supplying water.

The connection device can have a hollow main body, in the interior of which the sealing means is movably mounted. As a result of the movable mounting it is possible with relative ease for the water pressure to move the sealing means and hence open the relevant input and seal the other input or inputs. The main body can preferably be embodied in the form of a hollow cylinder. In particular, the main body can be embodied as a hollow circular cylinder and in particular in the form of a straight circular hollow cylinder.

According to a preferred embodiment variant of the inventive dishwasher, the connection device has exactly two inputs, these being connected to opposite ends of the main body. Consequently, the water pressure can where necessary push the sealing means away from the input receiving the water flow and toward the opposite input, whereby the connection device input to which water is applied opens automatically, solely as a result of the water pressure, and the other input closes automatically.

The output can be connected in particular to the lateral surface of the main body, in particular essentially midway between the two inputs. It is then possible for the sealing means to leave the output free with minimal impedance, thereby allowing an unimpeded flow of water from the relevant water connection via the connection device into the appliance interior of the inventive dishwasher.

According to a preferred variant of the inventive dishwasher, the sealing means is embodied as a piston which is displaceably mounted in the main body. This can be moved with particular ease by the water pressure, thereby increasing the operating reliability of the inventive dishwasher.

According to a further preferred embodiment variant of the inventive dishwasher, provision can be made for implementing the connection device in such a way that the sealing means, which is implemented in particular as a piston, is pushed by the water pressure of the water-supplying water connection toward the input situated opposite to the input that is attached to the water-supplying water connection, in order to close this and to open the input that is attached to the water-supplying water connection.

The water connections of the inventive dishwasher are preferably embodied as inlet valves or supply valves. The inlet valves comprise e.g. magnetic valves, preferably aquastop valves, which are opened and closed e.g. by a control device of the inventive dishwasher, in order to control e.g. the water inlet of the inventive dishwasher.

The inlet valves can be attached to the inputs of the connection device via water feed lines which are embodied in particular as water hoses. The convenience of connecting the inventive dishwasher to the water network is increased in particular if the water hoses are implemented to be flexible. The water hoses can preferably run inside sleeving hoses. If one of the water hoses leaks, for example, the corresponding sleeving hose can capture the escaping water.

The inlet valves, the water feed lines and the connection device can preferably form a waterstop system. This then has a security mechanism if applicable, in order to prevent the inlet of water if there is a fault in the water hoses in particular, e.g. by means of the control device automatically blocking the inlet valves.

The invention therefore provides a bithermal or duothermal water connection where appropriate, i.e. a cold water connection and a warm water connection at the same time, or expressed even more generally, preferably as a multithermal water connection, having a type of integrated non-return valve at the common junction point or coupling region, which largely or completely blocks, i.e. prevents, any reverse flow or “crossover”, i.e. from one water supply line to the other against its water supply direction.

In particular, the following advantageous embodiment variants can be beneficial:

The inventive dishwasher can be utilized in particular in conjunction with solar energy. Increasing use is being made of solar energy for the purpose of generating warm water. Owing to the fact that this energy is available for heating at essentially no cost during the summer months, its use should be maximized at this time of year. The dishwasher can utilize this free energy efficiently, at least relatively efficiently, and largely without compromising washing and drying performance or even with improved washing and drying performance, if the solar energy provides a sufficient contribution to the warm water supply of e.g. a building, preferably a house. At the same time, however, provision can be made for alternatively operating the appliance without restriction using exclusively cold water if the thermal solar system does not provide a sufficient contribution to the water warming of a warm water supply installation, or conversely using only warm water if there is no cold water connection available at all, for example. In any case, irrespective of whether the dishwasher is connected to a warm water connection and/or cold water connection, perfect functional operation of the dishwasher can be ensured in this way with the aid of the inventive connection device.

In the case of a single, monothermal water connection, i.e. only a cold water connection or only a warm water connection, for example, the washing program control would be relatively limited. A monoconnection to either only cold or warm water could result in disadvantages with regard to the washing and drying performance. If only one warm water connection were utilized exclusively, e.g. a heat exchanger or a water pocket which is attached in a heat-conducting manner to a side wall of the washing compartment, would possibly only be filled with warm water, whereby a drying result would occur that was inferior to that achieved in the case of dishwashers having a cold water supply and appliance-internal heating of the washing liquor. This is due to the fact that adequate cooling of the side wall and hence the generation of an adequate temperature gradient between the interior of the washing compartment and the side wall using the externally attached water pocket would in practice be no longer or only insufficiently feasible for the perfect condensation of water vapor which would be present in the interior of the washing compartment following a rinsing operation that preceded the drying operation of the currently running dishwashing program concerned.

In order that a dishwasher according to an advantageous variant of the invention can be supplied with both cold water and additionally or independently with warm water as required, the dishwasher is equipped with the inventive connection device, preferably internally, such that its two separate inputs can be connected to at least two separately controllable water connections, in particular having integrated waterstop valves or so-called aquastop valves, for cold water inlet and warm water inlet. According to the invention, one of the valves is therefore used as appropriate for the connection to the inexpensive water supply which is based partly or fully on solar heating, and the other valve is used for the connection to the customary cold water connection line. Both valves can be used separately from each other. The two valves are connected together via e.g. a T-shaped connection piece which joins the lines together as an advantageous connection device within the dishwasher, in particular the domestic dishwasher. In the interior of the connection piece, a dual-action non-return valve prevents in particular the flow of the liquid from one side to the other, i.e. “crossover reverse flow”. As a result of the water pressure when one of the valves opens, for example, this non-return valve seals the outflow to the other valve (and vice versa). The water then has only a one-way option, flowing via the output of the connection piece and only into the appliance. By virtue of this solution, it is possible in particular additionally to guarantee the accustomed water reliability of the waterstop system. Advantageously, therefore, it is sufficient for the waterstop or aquastop valves themselves only to be controllable to the extent that, with their assistance, the water flow can be controlled in the supply direction to the dishwasher, i.e. they open and block the water flow in the inlet direction only. In this case they need not always be sufficiently pressure-resistant in the opposite direction, i.e. in the reverse direction. For with the aid of the inventive connection device, provision is made for largely preventing a water volume from uncontrollably entering the relevant other water supply line, which is currently not carrying water, in the reverse direction and reaching its aquastop valve on the upstream side. The inventive connection device and its junction part for its inputs, to which water inlet lines with upstream terminal aquastop valves can be connected, can be provided in particular in the interior of the relevant dishwasher or possibly alternatively thereto as an external junction piece. Without the selective backflow separation of the water supply lines in the junction region of the connection device, however, a currently running dishwashing program could be adversely affected by unintended fillings. For example, an unintended filling of the warm water supply line with backward-flowing cold water could result in, instead of a requested warm water volume having a specific minimum temperature, merely a different water volume mixture of cold water and subsequent warm water arriving in the washing compartment of the dishwasher, said mixture having a combined temperature that is too low.

The above explanations relating to an available solar-heated warm water supply system obviously apply analogously if another external warm water connection is available in addition to the cold water connection. For example, therefore, provision can be made for a warm water connection of a warm water supply whose warm water is provided by a conventional energy source such as e.g. gas condenser heating and/or in particular by a regenerative energy source such as e.g. a woodchip heating system, pellet furnace, geothermal pump installation, local heating, etc. The delivery of warm water from the warm water connection is then advantageously activated, in particular by means of an operator pressing a special operating button on the dishwasher or in particular by means of an automatic selection by the control unit of the dishwasher, if a dishwasher-internal heating device is less efficient than the external warm water supply installation, i.e. would require higher energy consumption than this to provide warm water.

Further embodiments and developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. In this case the advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention described above and/or in the dependent claims can be applied to the inventive dishwasher individually or in any desired combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its embodiments and developments and their advantages are explained below with reference to drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a domestic dishwasher which is embodied according to an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention,

FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment variant of an inventive water supply system of the domestic dishwasher from FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary connection device of the water supply system from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Elements having identical function and mode of operation are denoted by the same reference signs in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows a domestic dishwasher 1 in cross-section as an example of a water-carrying domestic appliance.

The domestic dishwasher 1 has a washing compartment 2 for holding items to be washed which can be arranged e.g. in an upper rack 3 and a lower rack 4. At least two spray devices for applying a liquid to the dishes are arranged in the washing compartment 2, said liquid normally being referred to as washing liquor. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the spray devices are embodied as upper and lower spray arms 5, 6. The liquid can be conveyed by a circulating pump 7 via a first liquid feed line 8 to the upper spray arm 5 and via a second liquid feed line 9 to the lower spray arm 6. The circulating pump 7 is driven e.g. by means of an electrical drive which is not shown in greater detail, and in particular by means of the electric motor of said electrical drive.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the liquid is heated in a subprogram step of a washing program of the domestic dishwasher 1 by means of a flow-through water heater 10 which is connected by means of an input nozzle 11 to the circulating pump 7 and by means of output nozzles 12, 13 to the liquid feed lines 8, 9. The number of output nozzles 12, 13 corresponds to the number of spray arms 5, 6 or concurrently operated groups of spray arms 5, 6. The liquid that is conveyed by the circulating pump 7 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is accordingly carried to the input nozzle 11 of the flow-through heater 10 and from the output nozzles 12, 13 thereof via the liquid feed lines 8, 9 to the spray arms 5, 6.

The domestic dishwasher 1 additionally has a water switch 14 which is e.g. arranged in the flow-through water heater 10 or is integrally molded on the latter. The water switch 14 can, however, also be e.g. arranged independently in the domestic dishwasher 1 or connected directly to the circulating pump 7.

By means of the water switch 14, the spray arms 5, 6 can be in each case alternately and/or continuously supplied with the liquid, this being achieved by means of opening one liquid outlet and closing another liquid outlet of the water switch 14.

FIG. 2 shows a water supply system of the domestic dishwasher 1 having a plurality of water connections.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the domestic dishwasher 1 has a plurality of water connections, in particular in the form of a first inlet valve 15 and a second inlet valve 16. The inlet valves 15, 16 are e.g. magnetic valves and are attached to a control device of the domestic dishwasher 1 in a manner which is not shown, said control device being configured inter alia to control the operation of the domestic dishwasher 1 and to open and close the inlet valves 15, 16 selectively, i.e. independently of each other. The two inlet valves 15, 16 are provided for connection to a water line which is not illustrated in greater detail or to a water supply network. One of the inlet valves 15, 16 can be connected for example to a cold water connection and the other to a warm water connection or a hot water connection, in order to supply cold or preheated water to the domestic dishwasher 1.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the water supply system of the domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a connection device 17, as shown in FIG. 3, having a first input 18, a second input 19 and an output 20. The first input 18 is attached to the first inlet valve 15 via a water feed line, in particular via a first water hose 21, and the second input 19 is attached to the second inlet valve 16 via a further water feed line, in particular via a second water hose 22. The output 20 of the connection device 17 is attached to an appliance inlet of the domestic dishwasher 1 e.g. via a further water hose. The water arriving from the water connections enters the washing compartment 2 via the appliance inlet in order to form the washing liquor when it is mixed with a detergent.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the connection device 17 has a main body 23 which is implemented in particular in a hollow cylindrical shape and is made e.g. of metal or plastic. The main body 23 is implemented in particular in the shape of a circular cylinder and has in particular the form of a circular cylinder that is in particular straight. The two inputs 18, 19 connect to the two ends of the main body 23, i.e. to the base surfaces of the circular cylinder.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the output 20 of the connection device 17 connects to the lateral surface of the circularly cylindrical main body 23, in particular midway between the two inputs 18, 19.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, a movable sealing means e.g. in the form of a piston 24 is displaceably mounted within the main body 23, in particular along the longitudinal axis L of the main body 23. The piston 24 is provided so as to be moved in a translational manner between a first position, in which it opens the first input 18 and seals the second input 19, and a second position, in which it seals the first input 18 and opens the second input 19, i.e. linearly back and forth in this case. The output 20 is always open in this case.

If the piston 24 is situated in its first position, a water flow is allowed from the first inlet valve 15 via the first input 18 and the output 20 of the main body 23 of the connection device 17 into the appliance inlet of the domestic dishwasher 1, but any backflow of water from the first inlet valve 15 into the second water hose 22 is prevented.

If the piston 24 is situated in its second position, a water flow is allowed from the second inlet valve 16 via the second input 19 and the output 20 of the main body 23 of the connection device 17 into the appliance inlet of the domestic dishwasher 1, but any backflow of water from the second inlet valve 16 into the first water hose 21 is prevented.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the piston 24 is displaceably mounted along the longitudinal axis L of the main body 23. Consequently it is possible, depending on which of the two inlet valves 15, 16 opens, i.e. allows water to flow in via the water hoses 21, 22 in the direction of the connection device 17, and solely as a result of the water pressure of the water flowing through the relevant inlet valve 15, 16 and the subsequent water hose 21, 22, for the piston 24 to be pressed against the relevant input 18, 19 which is attached to the inlet valve 15, 16 that is currently blocked.

The water supply system can be implemented as a waterstop system and accordingly include a safety mechanism in order to prevent the supply of water if there is a fault in particular in the water hoses 21, 22, e.g. by means of the control device automatically blocking the inlet valves 15, 16. The two water hoses 21, 22 can be implemented as double hoses for this purpose.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the connection device 17 is arranged inside the domestic dishwasher 1, and the water hoses 21, 22 are guided e.g. through a rear wall 25 of the domestic dishwasher 1.

In the connection device in which a plurality of water hoses, i.e. generally expressed as a plurality of water inlet lines, are merged into a common output or connected thereto, provision is therefore made for a common backflow preventer which closes or blocks the water inlet line that is not currently supplying water in the inlet direction, against inflow of water in a reverse direction from the other water inlet line which is currently supplying water to the common outlet line. This backflow preventer therefore functions as a type of water inlet branch which only allows an outflow of incoming water to its output and no backflow to its other input.

By this means a reverse flow of water from one feed line into the other feed line is reliably prevented as a result of providing a flow-based separation of the water inlets, in particular their water inlet lines to the connection device. In this way it is also possible to prevent water of the inlet line that is currently carrying water from mixing with or contaminating the inlet line that is not currently carrying water, i.e. is blocking the water inlet, and possibly its upstream water supply system. A clean and hygienically perfect separation of the two water inlets is thus established. This is advantageous in particular if there is a warm water supply installation within a building, in particular a house, and an external cold water supply system, in particular a water supply network, which is required to provide water of drinking quality. Any backflow into said cold water network is therefore prevented.

Furthermore, this backflow preventer ensures that the two different water inlet flows, in particular hot and cold water, cannot be mixed together in the water inlets upstream of said backflow preventer in the feed lines, in particular as far as the respective water connection, preferably a faucet. To put it another way, a strict separation of the two water inlet flows from each other is ensured at all times. As a result of this, if there is a warm water inlet and a cold water inlet, a desired warm water volume and a desired cold water volume can be supplied to the output of the connection device selectively, i.e. separately at different inlet times and in a precisely controllable manner, i.e. metered. As a result of this, desired quantities of warm or cold water can be fed in a specifically metered manner via the output of the connection device into the liquid inlet system of the dishwasher for the purpose of carrying out the various partial wash cycles of a current wash cycle of a selected dishwashing program of a domestic dishwasher. This allows specific proportioning of a defined required warm water volume for at least one first partial wash cycle, e.g. cleaning cycle or rinsing cycle, and a defined required cold water volume for at least one second partial wash cycle, e.g. prewash cycle, intermediate wash cycle and/or other filling operation, e.g. filling a heat exchanger, in particular a water pocket, in order to improve the condensation of water vapor in the washing compartment as part of the drying operation, during the execution of the dishwashing program selected in a given case. Since warm water is only taken by the dishwasher when this is required by said partial wash cycles and/or filling operations, and cold water is used otherwise for the remaining partial wash cycles, the dishwasher can be operated with greater energy efficiency and/or greater drying efficiency. 

1. A dishwasher, comprising: a plurality of water connections; and a connection device having an output and a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs connected to a respective one of the plurality of water connections; wherein the connection device is structured to open an input of the plurality of inputs whose assigned one of the plurality of water connections supplies water and to automatically seal all remaining inputs of the plurality of inputs when the input whose assigned water connection supplies water is open.
 2. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of water inlet lines, each water inlet line connecting a respective one of the plurality of inputs to the respective one of the plurality of water connections, and wherein the dishwasher is a domestic dishwasher.
 3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein, as a result of water pressure of the assigned water connection that supplies water, the connection device is structured to open the input and to seal all the remaining inputs of the plurality of inputs.
 4. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the connection device has sealing means to open the input and to seal all the remaining inputs of the plurality of inputs.
 5. The dishwasher of claim 4, wherein the connection device has a hollow main body, and wherein the sealing means is movably mounted in an interior of the hollow main body.
 6. The dishwasher of claim 5, wherein the connection device has exactly two inputs, which connect to opposite ends of the hollow main body.
 7. The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the output is connected to a lateral surface of the hollow main body.
 8. The dishwasher of claim 7, wherein the output is connected essentially midway between the two inputs.
 9. The dishwasher of claim 5, wherein the sealing means is a piston which is displaceably mounted in the hollow main body.
 10. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the sealing means is pushed by water pressure of a water-supplying water connection toward a first input situated opposite to a second input that is attached to the water-supplying water connection in order to close the first input and to open the second input.
 11. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water connections are inlet valves.
 12. The dishwasher of claim 11, wherein each of the inlet valves is attached to a respective one of the plurality of inputs of the connection device via a respective one of the plurality of water feed lines.
 13. The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of water feed lines are water hoses.
 14. The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the inlet valves, the water feed lines and the connection device form a waterstop system. 